Sir John Robinson was the very first Prime Minister of Natal (now KwaZulu-Natal). Prime Minister, you ask, but how is that possible? In fact it was John Robinson who argued for the idea of Natal becoming a self-governed colony and, after many years of petitioning the legislative council, Robinson eventually succeeded. In 1893, a bill was passed establishing a responsible government accountable to parliament, with Robinson elected Prime Minister. He also acted as Colonial Secretary and Minister of Education, which was ironic given that Robinson himself had only a limited education.